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A couple are facing an agonising wait for the results of blood tests - after claiming they were savaged by bed bugs during a holiday from hell.

Christina Barber and Tristan Dainty had been looking forward to a fun-filled holiday in Lanzarote when they flew out on September 20.

But within days of their arrival Tristan says he began to feel a severe itch, before large bite-like marks appeared on his hands and arms and a red patch formed on his face.

After treating the bites – which they thought were caused by mosquitoes – with a pharmacy cream, Tristan and Christina have told how they awoke one night to find themselves covered in black bed bugs in their hotel room.

They went to a Lanzarote hospital for further treatment before Christina says she also began experiencing symptoms as the holiday went from bad to worse.

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Now the couple are back at their Kidsgrove home - with the bites still visible - as they wait for the results of the medical tests.

Christina Barber and her partner Tristan Dainty

Christina, of Oldcott Drive, said: "The holiday was an absolute nightmare - I've cried and been heartbroken ever since.

"We were in agony and feeling ill. We couldn't drink and we were trying to keep out of the sun, which was nigh on impossible."

She added: "When we first got there, we arrived at night and the hotel looked an OK place. The pool looked nice, the weather was absolutely glorious and we thought we would be in for a wonderful holiday.

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"But unfortunately we spent half of our time in hospital and trying to keep out of the sun.

Tristan's arm after being bitten

"After the first evening, Tristan got up on the Saturday and said he felt really itchy. At first we thought we were dealing with mosquito bites, but it went on and on and by Monday we were in the chemist.

"The bites began to change on his skin. They looked peculiar on his hands and fingers and a red patch formed on his face. We went to the pharmacy and they gave us some cream and said it looked like it could have been a spider bite.

"On the Wednesday night, Tristan was scratching so bad we got up and turned the lights on and there were black bugs all over him, all over his bed and all over my bed. We jumped straight out."

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The couple were moved to a new room before eventually switching to a new hotel. But they are unhappy with the service they received from Thomas Cook overseas. They say they have had to throw away the clothes and suitcases they took on holiday.

The bites on Tristan's arm and hand

Christina added: "I've never been so disgusted in my life. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what we have."

The couple have lodged an official complaint with tour operator Thomas Cook following their experience.

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MS sufferer Tristan said: "I'm absolutely devastated. I've ended up scarred by these bites and I can still see them.

Christina Barber says she was also bitten in Lanzarote

"I'm disgusted with Thomas Cook and disgusted with the hotel. When we saw the bugs we just thought 'oh my God'. We couldn't stop scratching as we were covered in the bites. We didn't dare get back into bed. It was an absolute nightmare."

What Thomas Cook has had to say:

Thomas Cook has pledged to fully investigate the complaint once the medical tests have been completed.

A spokesman said: "The safety of our customers is always our first priority and we are sorry to hear of the experience Miss Barber and Mr Dainty had while on holiday with us.

"We did everything we could to support them while in the resort, including a change of rooms and then moving hotels. Once we have received further medical information from the couple we will be able to investigate fully."